After-Market Golf Ball Container For Attaching To Golf Cart

ABSTRACT

An after-market container that attaches with mating opposing members to a golf cart for holding golf balls for sequential dispensing from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs that each includes a projecting stop on an interior surface, with the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding one of the golf balls retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to containers for golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to after-market products to modify golf carts to provide an attached container for carrying golf balls while facilitating selective removal of one of the golf balls from the container for play and including detachably carrying a golf glove for selective use during play.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sport of golf is an entertaining activity involving athletic skill and mental concentration to play a round in as few strokes as possible. There are a number of different types of clubs used in playing golf. These clubs are carried in an elongate open-ended bag. The bag is carried by a shoulder strap. Typically, golf bags include a number of pockets which are closed with zippers, buttons, or snaps. The pockets are used for carrying supplies such as golf balls, golf tees, towels, gloves, score cards, and other accouterments particular for golfing.

Often the golf bags are carried by the golfer during the golf match. However, a number of golf courses require the use of a golf cart. Golf carts are typically electrically operated to transport the golfer and his golf clubs across the course. The golf cart typically has a roof supported by elongated posts or members extending from a chassis. Many golf carts include trays for holding articles such as golf tees, golf balls, pencils, score-cards and other such golf related articles.

To be successful in golf, a golfer must drive the ball within the fairways and the approaches to the greens, while avoiding hazards on the course. Hazards include the rough or tall brush areas, sand traps, water hazards, and other grounds areas that are out of bounds or leave the golfer with a difficult shot. While driving the ball within the fairways is the preferable goal leading to success, golfers often have problems with losing golf balls. For example, drives may the golf ball to hook or slice and send the ball into fairway hazards. The rough particularly poses problems, as the rough includes areas along the sides of the fairways, and a driven ball that hooks or slices may easily carry into the rough. Rough can vary from grass standing slightly taller than the grass in the fairway to tall grass, brush, bushes, and trees.

Although golfers assist each other by observing the flight of the ball, balls driven into rough frequently are lost. Generally, if a short search does not locate the ball, the golfer selects and plays a new ball, with a stroke penalty. Similarly, a ball driven into a water hazard typically is not playable, unless closely near a shallow edge of the water hazard. Generally, a ball driven into rough or into a water hazard necessitates having to replace a lost ball to resume play. This non-play activity however is distracting and time-consuming, and facilitating a replacement ball is helpful to concentration on the match.

While bags have pockets for holding golf balls, and golf carts have trays, selecting a particular ball from a group of balls in a pocket or in the tray is cumbersome and time consuming. For example, golfers often include in the pockets a number of older balls for practice together with new or better ones of the golf balls for use in play. Selecting a new ball for replacement involves searching through the balls in the pockets of the golf bag or locating the particular pocket with new balls prepositioned for play.

In addition to time spent searching for a ball lost in the rough, selecting a new ball from a collection of balls may further delay the play of the round. Some courses have strict time limits on the amount of time one can spend searching for a ball, in order to avoid inconveniencing other players on the course.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an after-market carrier for attaching to a golf cart for for holding golf balls for selective access for play when necessary. It is to such that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the need in the art by providing an after-market container for attaching to a golf cart for sequential dispensing of golf balls, comprising a housing having an interior cavity for receiving at least one golf ball, with the housing defining an opening for passage of the golf ball into and from the interior cavity. The housing also defines a pair of opposing legs at the opening, each leg having on an interior surface a projecting stop and the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding the golf ball between the legs and retained by the opposing projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops. The housing includes a land portion on an exterior for abutting contact with a surface of a member of a golf cart. A connector comprising a first mating member attached to the housing and defining a recess configured for receiving a portion of a member of the golf cart and a second mating member detachably connected to the first mating member and defining a second recess configured for receiving a second portion of the member of the golf cart. A plurality of fasteners connect the first mating member and the second mating member in engaged relation receiving the member of the golf cart for attaching the container to the golf cart.

Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective explode view a carrier for golf balls according to the present invention for attaching to a member of a golf cart for use in holding golf balls for selective dispensing during play.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective detailed view of the carrier illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 2A-2A of FIG. 2 to illustrate features of a nub at an upper end of the container.

FIG. 3 illustrates in top plan view a first embodiment of a mating connector for attaching the carrier shown in FIG. 1 to a member of a golf cart.

FIG. 4 illustrates in side elevational view the mating connector shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates in front elevational view the mating connector shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates in top plan view a second embodiment of a mating connector for attaching the carrier shown in FIG. 1 to a member of a golf cart.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective exploded view alternate embodiments of the carrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like reference numerals, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a container 10 according to the present invention for holding a plurality of golf balls 12 for sequential removal for play. The container 10 includes a housing 14 that defines an interior cavity 16 for holding the golf balls 12. The housing 14 has a first end 18 and on opposing second end 22. The first end 18 is open to the interior 16 and may be closed by a cap (not illustrated).

As shown in detailed perspective view in FIG. 2, the first end 18 defines an opening 19 that includes a beveled lip 20 to facilitate entry of a golf ball 12 through the opening into the interior cavity 16. A nub 21 extends from a portion of an inner wall of the housing 14. The nub 21 is a raised or extended portion of the side wall that slightly reduces the cross-sectional size of the opening 19. That is, the nub reduces the length of a transverse axis 23 a of the housing in that portion compared with a transverse axis 23 b in a remaining portion of the opening 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the nub 21 is three spaced-apart fingers that extend from the side wall into the opening 19. In an alternate embodiment, the nub is a taperingly extended raised portion of the side wall.

As best illustrated in side cross-sectional view in FIG. 2A, an upper edge of each finger tapers downwardly from the side wall to a distal edge of the finger. The tapered edge facilitates passage of a golf ball 12 past the nub 21 into the cavity 16. The nub 21 restricts passage of the golf ball 12 in order to stop ejection of golf balls from the container 10 through the opening 19 such as when the golf cart moves along the fairway or golf paths between holes. Golf balls 12 must be pushed forcibly past the nub 21 into the container 10.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the opposing second end 22 is also open to the interior cavity 16. The housing 14 defines a pair of opposing legs 24 about the opening in the second end 22. Each of the legs 24 has an interior surface 26 that includes a projecting stop 28. The stop 28 extends towards the opposing stop.

The interior cavity 16 holds the golf balls 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 16 is cylindrical as defined by a curved interior wall of the housing 14. The cavity 16 preferably has a diameter 27 closely approximating that of a golf ball, so that a plurality of golf balls 12 stack sequentially in contacting relation within the housing 14.

The opposing stops 28 define a gap having a distance 29 smaller than the diameter of the interior cavity 16. The stops 28 hold one of the golf balls 12 between the legs 24. The projecting stops 28 can be integral with the legs 24 or resilient members that attach to the legs, such as with a fastener or adhesive. The members used for the stops 28 are made of a resilient material such as rubber or plastic.

In the illustrated embodiment, the legs 24 also define opposing notches 30 for gripping an exposed surface portion of the golf ball between the legs 24.

A side wall 32 of the housing 14 includes a window for observing the golf ball contents. The window in the illustrated embodiment includes at least a pair of axially aligned, spaced-apart longitudinally extending slots 34. The slots 34 provide windows into the cavity 16 to observe the number of golf balls 12 held within the housing 14. Although not illustrated, the slots 34 can be on opposing sides of the housing, or even on three radially spaced portions of the housing. The slots 34 extend to distal end portions of the housing 14 but in each end portion the slots terminate short of the end to leave a continuous integral perimeter generally 35 about the housing.

The container 10 selectively attaches with a connector generally 36 to golf cart, such as a support post or member 38 that holds a roof of the golf cart. The illustrated container 10, the connector 36 includes a first mating member 40 and a second mating member 42 discussed below with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The first mating member 40 is integral with the first end 18 of the container 10. A pair of stubs 42 project laterally from the first end 18. Each of the stubs 42 defines a threaded bore 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the bore 44 is a brass threaded fitting held within the stub 42. A gap 45 between the stubs 42 and a side wall 47 receives a portion of the member 38, as discussed below, when attaching the container 10 to the member.

The housing 14 includes a land 46 on an exterior portion. The land 46 extends laterally of the housing and defines a surface 48 that abuts the member of the golf cart to which the container 10 is attached, as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, surface 48 of the land 46 is planar. However, the member or portion of the golf cart to which the container attaches may be cylindrical. The planar surface 48 is suitable for contacting the member when attaching the container 10 to the golf cart. However, an embodiment for such application is preferably arcuate for abutting contact with the curved surface of the cylindrical member.

FIG. 3 illustrates in top plan view a first embodiment of the mating second member 42 for the connector 36 to attach the carrier 10 to the member 38 of a golf cart, for example, a support post holding a roof of a golf cart. The mating second member 42 includes a pair of opposing legs 50 and a cross member 52. An interior edge of the legs 50 and cross member 52 define a recess 54 configured to receive a cross-section of the member of the golf cart. As illustrated in FIG. 4 in side elevational view, the second mating member 42 includes a pair of connector blocks 56 that each define a passageway 58 for receiving a threaded fastener as discussed below. A bridge 60 shown in FIG. 5 extends between the opposing legs 50 and defines a side wall for the mating member 42.

It is to be appreciated that support posts for supporting a roof of a golf cart are typically conventional elongated tubular members having standard cross sectional sizes of ¾ inch, 1 inch, and 1 and ¼ inch. These are typically rectangular cross-sections but may be circular. The width of the legs 50 and the bridge 60 can be selected so that the width and depth of the recess 54 can be configured for closely fitting the particular support post.

FIG. 6 illustrates in top plan view a second embodiment of the second mating member 42 a for attaching the carrier 10 to a golf cart. In this embodiment, the recess 54 a defined by the legs 50 and the cross member 52 defines an arcuate cross-sectional shape suitable for receiving a curved surface of a cylindrical support or post for a roof of a golf cart, or other curved surface member of the golf cart to which the container 10 is attached.

FIG. 7 illustrates in detailed perspective view an alternate embodiment of the container 10 a that includes a holder 70 extends laterally from a sidewall of the housing. The holder 70 defines a through-bore 71 with open opposing ends 72, 74 openings. The bore 71 has an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. The holder 70 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or other configuration having the open opposing ends 72, 74 and a through bore. The holder 70 receives through the open ends 72, 74 a shaft 76 of a golf club, such as a putter 78. FIG. 7 also illustrates as an alternate embodiment the placement of the fingers for the nub 21 as extending from an interior wall opposing the side wall 47 of the mating member 40.

In another alternate embodiment also shown in FIG. 7 for convenience, a patch 80 having a surface 82 of a first character attaches to an exterior wall of the container 50. The patch 80 in the illustrated embodiment attaches adhesively. A golf accessory 84, such as a glove, towel (illustrated in partial view), or other accessory, includes a mating patch 85 having a surface of a second character. The patch 85 having the second character matingly engages the patch 80 having the first character. Thus the accessory 84, such as a glove or towel, is readily accessible for use with the container 10 a attached to the golf cart.

With reference to FIG. 1, the carrier 10 and the first embodiment of the connector member 42 receives the member 38 of the golf cart, for example, a support or post that attaches the roof of the golf cart to the chassis, while attaching the carrier to the golf cart for use in holding golf balls 12 for selective dispensing during play. The carrier 10 attaches by placing the carrier with the land 46 in abutting contact with the member 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the member 38 is a square-tube and abuts contactingly to the planar land surface 48 and in the gap 45. The second member 42 aligns to the first member 40 with the legs 50 on opposing sides of the member 38. The second member 42 is moved so that the member 38 is received in the recess 54 and the passageways 58 align with the threaded bores 44. Fasteners 60 extend through the passageways 58 and threadably engage the bores 44 to secure the container to the member 38.

It is to be appreciated that for applications in which the member 38 is cylindrical, the second embodiment of the second member 42 a depicted in FIG. 6 may gainfully be used to secure the container 10 to the member. In this embodiment, the curved surface of the member is received within the arcuate recess 54 a. The threaded fasteners 60 similarly extend through the passageways 58 and threadably engage the bores 44 to secure the container to the member.

One embodiment of the carrier 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured for holding six golf balls in a cylindrical tube having a 1.875 inch inner diameter and a ⅛ inch wall thickness, and a length of 10.5 inches. The legs 24 are 1 inch long and the apex of the notched opening defined between the opposing legs can be rounded or peaked.

The container 10 of the present invention sequentially meters golf balls 12 held in the cavity 16. The golf balls insert into the cavity 16 through the opening 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the golf balls 12 are pushed past the projecting nub 21 into the cavity 16. The nub 21 slightly reduces the opening 19 in order to stop an ejection of a golf ball from the container 10 through the opening 19 such as when the golf cart moves along the fairway or golf paths between holes. The nub 21 extends a distance sufficient that a golf ball can be forcibly moved past the nub into the cavity 16 yet stop an uppermost golf ball in the cavity from moving out of the container past the nub unintentionally by the user of the container such as while the golf cart is moving.

The golf balls 12 are held in the cavity 16 with one golf ball held between the legs 24 by the stops 28. To remove a golf ball 12 from the cavity 16, the opposing exposed surface portions of the golf ball are gripped. The notches 30 facilitate gripping access to golf ball. A pulling force exerted on the golf ball 12 moves the legs 24. The legs 24 move from the first position with the stop members 28 holding the golf ball 12 to the second position with the legs flexed outwardly. In this second position, the golf ball 12 is readily moved past the projecting stops 28 and thereby removed from the container 10. Upon removal of the golf ball 12, the legs 24 flex inwardly to the first position. The stops 28 contact and hold the next golf ball in the container 10.

It is to be appreciated that the container 10 has an opening 19 that can be selectively closed by a cap (not illustrated). The cap can be threaded, clipped, or friction-fit upon the open end 18 of the housing. Upon removal of the cap, or if open without a cap, the container 10 is filled with golf balls, as discussed above. In an alternate embodiment, the container 10 is closed at the first end 18. In that embodiment, golf balls 12 insert into the cavity 16 through the opening between the legs 24.

The embodiment of the container 10 illustrated in FIG. 7 readily carries the putter 78 conveniently accessible for use by passing the shaft 76 through the open ends 72, 74 of the holder 70. Similarly, the accessory 84 is readily available for use by matingly connecting the patches 80, 85 by engaging the opposing mating surfaces, for example, using VELCRO brand hook and latch fabric connectors. Other similar connector devices may be used for detachably engaging the accessory 84 to the container 10 or 10 a, such as clips, pins, buttons, and other detachably engaging connectors.

The housing 14 of the container 10 and the connector 36 are readily molded of plastic or other suitable material.

While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to illustrated embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions, in additions to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An after-market container for attaching to a golf cart for sequential dispensing of golf balls, comprising: a housing having an interior cavity for receiving at least one golf ball; the housing defining an opening for passage of the golf ball into and from the interior cavity; the housing defining a pair of opposing legs at the opening, each leg having on an interior surface a projecting stop and the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding the golf ball between the legs and retained by the opposing projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops; the housing including a land portion on an exterior thereof for abutting contact with a surface of a member of a golf cart; a connector comprising a first mating member attached to the housing and defining a recess configured for receiving a portion of member of the golf cart and a second mating member detachably connected to the first mating member and defining a second recess configured for receiving a second portion of the member of the golf cart; and fasteners for connecting the first mating member and the second mating member in engaged relation receiving the member of the golf cart for attaching the container to the golf cart.
 2. The after-market container as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing defines an elongated cylindrical interior cavity having a first interior diameter closely sized to a diameter of the golf ball to be received therein.
 3. The after-market container as recited in claim 2, wherein a distance between the opposing projecting stops are spaced a second distance apart, the second distance less than the first diameter.
 4. The after-market container as recited in claim 2, wherein the legs define arcuate surfaces extending coaxially with the cylinder with opposing side edges that define a gap with the respective side edge of the opposing leg.
 5. The container as recited in claim 4, wherein each side edge of the leg defines a notch therein, for gripping the golf ball held between the legs for removal therefrom.
 6. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing defines a window in a surface thereof, whereby the number of golf balls within the interior cavity are observable.
 7. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing defines a pair of axially aligned, spaced-apart longitudinally extending slots, whereby the number of golf balls within the interior cavity are observable.
 8. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the first mating member includes a pair of spaced-apart threaded bores and the second mating member defines a pair of passageways spaced for aligning with the bores, whereby the threaded fasteners extend through the passageways and engage the bores for connecting the first and second mating members together.
 9. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein an end of the housing opposing the legs is selectively opened for disposing the golf ball within the interior cavity.
 10. The container as recited in claim 9, further comprising a cap selectively detachably attached to the end of the housing for closing the housing, whereby removal of the cap opens the housing for receiving the golf ball.
 11. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein the projecting stops are resilient members attached to the interior surface of the respective leg.
 12. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein the resilient members are formed of rubber.
 13. The container as recited in claim 1, further comprising an holder extending laterally from a sidewall of the housing and defining an opening therethrough having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, for receiving a shaft of a golf club to be carried.
 14. The container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a patch attached to the housing and having a surface of a first character for selective and detachable engagement to a patch on a golf accessory having a surface of a second character.
 15. The container as recited in claim 2, wherein the opening defines a nub extending from a side wall portion, thereby restricting the passage of golf balls therethrough.
 16. The container as recited in claim 15, wherein the nub extends a distance sufficient that a golf ball can be forcibly moved past the nub into the cavity yet stop an uppermost golf ball in the cavity from moving out of the cavity past the nub unintentionally by the user of the container.
 17. An after-market container for attaching to a golf cart for sequential dispensing of golf balls, comprising: a housing having an interior cavity for receiving at least one golf ball; the housing defining an opening for passage of the golf ball into and from the interior cavity, the opening defining a nub extending from a side wall thereof for restricting passage of golf balls; the housing defining a pair of opposing legs at the opening, each leg having on an interior surface a projecting stop and the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding the golf ball between the legs and retained by the opposing projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops; each side edge of the leg defines a notch therein, for gripping the golf ball held between the legs for removal therefrom; the housing including a land portion on an exterior thereof for abutting contact with a surface of a member of a golf cart; a connector comprising a first mating member attached to the housing and defining a recess configured for receiving a portion of member of the golf cart and a second mating member detachably connected to the first mating member and defining a second recess configured for receiving a second portion of the member of the golf cart; and fasteners for connecting the first mating member and the second mating member in engaged relation receiving the member of the golf cart for attaching the container to the golf cart.
 18. The container as recited in claim 17, wherein the first mating member includes a pair of spaced-apart threaded bores and the second mating member defines a pair of passageways spaced for aligning with the bores, whereby the fasteners extend through the passageways and engage the bores for connecting the first and second mating members together.
 19. The container as recited in claim 17, further comprising an holder extending laterally from a sidewall of the housing and defining an opening therethrough having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, for receiving a shaft of a golf club to be carried. 